Be There Basics

A while back, Jack.org young leaders noticed a huge gap in youth mental health across Canada. As the conversation around mental health starts to shift, we're doing a better job at encouraging young people how to reach out and ask for help. But we're not educating those around them what to do when it happens.

So we surveyed 1,200 young people across Canada. 83% said they supported a friend struggling with their mental health. Only 39% of them felt they were adequately prepared to offer the support that was needed.

That gap has enormous implications. A person struggling in silence finally builds up the courage to ask for help and are met with people that have no idea how to support them. At best, it causes a lot of awkward conversations. At worst, it cuts off help-seeking as soon as it begins or allows a well-intentioned person to say or do something that causes more harm than good.

We knew we needed better education; an open and accessible space where anyone can go to learn how to be there for their loved ones when they're struggling.

To fill this gap, Jack.org embarked on our most ambitious project yet. Through consultation with over 1,400 young people from across Canada, Jack.org created Be There, the world's most comprehensive and engaging online resource for young people to learn how to support each other through mental health struggle.

Though created by Jack.org, Be There lives at BeThere.org - a standalone digital environment where people of all ages can find answers to their questions without distraction.

Let's create a country where we can all better support one another. Whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours, get started at BeThere.org